• What do our district Speech-Language Specialists do?
     
    Speech-language specialists work with children (preschool through grade 8) to evaluate speaking, listening and comprehension skills in order to determine if their ability to communicate is typical, delayed or disordered.  If there is a communication problem that meets school-based eligibility criteria, speech-language specialists will develop and implement Individual Education Programs (IEPs) based on each child's needs.
     
    What areas do Speech-Language Specialists Evaluate?
     

    Articulation/Phonology

     Is the child difficult to understand when compared to other children their age?
    Do they:
    • substitute certain sounds for others?
    • omit, distort or add sounds?
    • sound unclear/difficult to understand when speaking in class or making oral presentations?
    • produce sound errors that are not a result of a hearing impairment, dialect, cultural differences or the influence of a foreign language? 
    Fluency
     Does the child have difficulty speaking with fluency?
     Do they:
    • avoid talking?
    • seem tense when speaking?
    • speak too quickly, slowly or in a choppy manner?
    • hesitate, prolong or repeat syllables, sounds, words, or phrases?
    • experience or elicit negative reactions when speaking (negative self image)?
    • make inappropriate facial expressions, gestures or body movements when speaking? 
    Voice
     Is the child's voice appropriate for their age, gender, or stature?
    Do they:
    • speak with too high or too low of a pitch?
    • speak too loudly or softly?
    •  sound as if they always have a cold or sound nasal?
    •  have a hoarse or harsh voice most of the time?
    • seem to run out of air when speaking?
    • lose their voice frequently?
    Language
    Does the child have the signs of a language disorder?
    Do they:
    • have trouble putting thoughts into words or understanding others?
    • have trouble following directions, answering questions, solving problems?
    • misuse grammar?
    • speak in poorly constructed sentences?
    • have limited vocabulary?
    • find it hard to describe objects or events?
    • have illogical or disorganized thoughts? 
    • have trouble with humor, inferences, idioms, words with multiple meanings?
    • have literacy limitations?
     [Please note that according to N.J.A.C. 6A:14, a referral for a student for whom a language disability is suspected must be forwarded to the child study team.  If it is determined at the identification meeting that an evaluation is warranted, the student must be evaluated by a minimum of two child study team members, and other specialists as deemed necessary, in accordance with N.J.A.C. 6A:14-3.4(d).]
     
    (Information provided by New Jersey Speech-Language-Hearing Association and the New Jersey Department of Education)
     
    For more Speech/Language information, please contact Ms. Biebrich at (201) 327-2020 ext. 3222 or
    cbiebrich@allendalek8.com
     
    For more information about speech/language disorders, please visit:
    American Speech-Language Hearing Association http://www.asha.org/
    New Jersey Speech-Language Hearing Association www.njsha.org
    Stuttering Foundation of America http://www.stutteringhelp.org/ 
     
     
Last Modified on September 29, 2019